Lea Michele Turns 27: Inside Her First Birthday Without Cory Monteith

Wishes for a very happy birthday go out to Glee star Lea Michele (Rachel), who turns 27 today, August 29. Lea apparently plans to make this an upbeat but subdued evening, as this will be her first birthday since boyfriend Cory Monteith’s (Finn) sudden and unexpected passing last month.

"It's her first without Cory,” a source tells Life & Style. “She'll celebrate with her girlfriends and have a low-key night.”

Lea has reportedly been impressing her co-stars with her strength since Cory’s death, but it’s still understandable that this will be a tough birthday. “It's going to be very hard for her,” continues the insider. “It's the first special moment celebrating without him."

Also making things tough are reports that Cory had already been making special plans for Lea’s birthday before his shocking death on July 13. And one report claims that Cory was even planning to propose on her birthday, but that story comes from the National Enquirer, so you can take it with a hefty dose of salt.

Regardless, the source tells Life & Style that Lea definitely had long-term hopes for her relationship with Cory. "She really thought he'd be her husband, so [her birthday is] going to be very lonely without him," says the source.

Lea continues to be in our thoughts, and we know her friends will make sure she has a fun-filled day.